The day book. (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917, September 05, 1913, Image 19

Image and text provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

"In this case let me be one," urgedLewis."Take your way lots of thankyyou'll get in the end; that's my experience." Lewis Daniels proceeded to the office. His first plan was to .place theletter on Miss Durham's desk. Hehad barely done so when she approached it."You were waiting to see me, Mr.Daniels?'' asked the girl, with herusual bright smile."Hem why, yes, quite so," stumbled Lewis guiltily. "You see, that isabout your vacation ""Yes, you told me," responded Minna, a trace of sadness in her dep expressive eyes. "I am sorry, but then,you see, I can look forward to nextyear.""The hem special time you desired, I believe, was the first twoweeks in August?" continued Lewis.. "It will be all right two weeks, fuUpay, and you work this far, MIbs Durham, excellent, most excellent."She looked up into his face, herlips parted, as if unable to comprehend the full blessing of the words hespoke . Her eyes seemed reading hisvery soul."Oh, you can't mean it" shebreathed, "It can't be true!" andthen as he silently nodded, too overcome to speak, the tears of joy rushed to her eyes, and 050- fell upon hishand, and she bent her face uponthe desk and sobbed out her joy."You are a good, good man!" andwhen, in the quiet of his bachelorroom that night, Lewis Daniels kissedthe Bpot on his hand where that pearly tear had rested, he hoped he was,and he knew that the silent love hebore for Minna Durham could not failto make him a better one.. Minna went away on her vacationwith a happy heart. Two days laterthe manager was called to a distantcity to attend a manufacturers' convention. He assigned Lewis to substitute for him during his absence.Circumstance or fate, a strange ,event happened. Wilson had eftmemoranda as to what credits shouldbe given. There was a firm soldfreely, with orders not to restrict theaccount. A hint caught casually on Ithe street forewarned Lewis. HeIcollected what he could, shut off. the"credit and the day Wilson came 3home the firm failed. " i"So, you see, if I hadn't been here Jthrough giving Miss Durham myvacation, the firm would be out about )twelve thousand dollars," suggested -tLewis. IMinna learned of this; she learned, -1too, of the noble sacrifice v of Lewissoon after her return. The happiness he had brought into her life wasnot forgotten.One day, several weeks later, themanager called Lewis Into his privateoffice."New contract," he observed uvhisusuaTterse way, tossing over a written sheet. "Xiehpuse appreciatesyour servicesr-ftfty per'cent raise insalary.""Thank you,'' said Lewis heartily."I hope I deserve it.""Deserve it?" repeated Wilson, andhis lips twitched suspiciously. "Daniels, you!re a man with a soul. Youhave done some fine, fine things. Iwish my hard, selfish business hadmade my heart as true gold as yoursis.""Did you ever that is, well, didyou ever try love?" suggested Lewis,blushing red as a peony."Oh, that's the secret, is it?""I think so.""That young lady, Miss DurhamI suppose you don't regret giving upthe vacation you earned so hard to.Gater to a girlish whim?""If you knew what happiness thewhim, as you call it, led to, you wouldnot be sorry for letting me have myown" way," replied Lewis, his voicefull of earnest emotion. "That unexpected family reunion, from all I -learnLwas one of those bright spotsof life that make people believe in,good and heaven." . ' ,-. . .. . - .'-.-i.- i -